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It wasn’t until my father spoke to him, did he acknowledge me with a nod and faint smile. “Good morning, Lizzie.”
I swallowed back the lump in my throat. My gaze trailed over his body. He was wearing a white, button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, exposing the tattoos I’d grown obsessed with over the years. His grey slacks fit his lower body perfectly, and I tried my best to tear my gaze away from the massive dick that I knew was beneath the fabric.
“Morning.” I hurried over to the luggage the two drivers had arranged on the trollies.
“What the hell is that about?” my brother whispered from the corner of his mouth.
“What?” I hissed as we followed my parents and Vinny through the airport to check our bags.
“The tension between you and him, holy shit.” He kept his voice low.
“Nothing.” I bowed my head. “I just didn’t like working for him, I guess.”
“Mmhmm,” my brother teased. “Crush hit hard, didn’t it?”
“Shut it,” I growled.
He let out a loud laugh, causing our parents and Vinny to look back.
“I just want to get through this trip without mom and dad fight—”
“Surpriseee!” my mom crooned, and her face lit up with a broad smile.
Lucas and I snapped our gaze up to see her reaching her arms out, hugging a strange woman with honey brown hair. The lady smiled at us over her shoulder as she embraced her.
My father took a step back. “Alicia, what do you mean,surprise?”
My mom and the woman broke the hug, and my mom slipped her arm around my father’s waist. “This is Juliana, my friend from yoga. When we booked the tickets, I booked an extra one for her because I knew Vinny might enjoy having someone to talk to who isn’t us.”
Vinny’s head turned toward me. His shoulders lifted and fell as he took a deep breath and turned back to the woman and my mother. “Hello,” he slid his hands in his pockets. “I’m Vinny.” I knew that tone. He was trying his best not to make a scene for the sake of my family.
“So nice to meet you,” she beamed.
My father’s gaze found mine. He arched a brow, staring at me for a moment before pivoting away angrily and pushing one of the luggage carts to the check-in counter; not even a hello to the woman.
Lucas nudged me in the side, twisting his lips sideways. “If he doesn’t want her, I’ll take her.”
The woman was flawless. She was tall, stunning, and built like a Brazilian supermodel straight off the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway. I wanted to throw up. Ignoring my brother, I followed my parents and Vinny to the line, dreading every moment of the worst vacation that was to come.
17
TURKS & CAICOS
For the three and a half hours it took to fly to the island, I plugged my ears with my earbuds, leaned my head on the window, and closed my eyes. Vinny and Juliana sat behind us, and my parents sat in front of us. I felt as though I was constantly being watched when my mother would turn around and get on her knees, talking back over Lucas and me to her friend. Lucas busied himself on his phone the entire time, ignoring everything around him. I cracked my eyes open when he’d accidentally bump into me, taking selfies.
The sun was shining, and the humidity was high when we landed at the Turks and Caicos airport. I was so happy to be on the ground and could finally relax in the privacy of my own swim-up suite. I was supposed to share it with Maddie, but now that she was off on vacation with Antonio, I would have all the time I needed to myself to get over Vinny. At least, that’s what I planned to do.
Running my fingers through my hair, I swooped my untamed locks up into a messy bun as I scanned my wristband to enter my room. My eyes expanded and my mouth fell agape as I bypassed the oversized bathroom on the right and entered the luxurious bedroom with a sitting area. A jetted tub sat in the room's corner, surrounded by candles, lotions, massage oils, and soap; none of which I would need.
A black canopy bed with white sheer drapes pulled back and secured to the four posts, was in the center of the room against the wall. I stepped over to a door, checking it. It was adjoining Lucas's room, which meant it would always remain locked. Whenever we were on family vacations, he’d always bring random girls back to the hotel. I ran my fingers over the back of a white chair as I walked through the sitting room to the sliding glass door.
The view of the back patio was spectacular. There were two chaise lounges with a small table between them. Four long white strips of fabric hung from the ceiling, pulled back and tied. The swimming pool came right up to the deck with a sunbathing ledge just inside the perfectly clear water. Sliding open the door, I stepped out, breathing in salt air, mixed with the flowering island vegetation surrounding the chlorine pool. Steel drums, buleadors, and guitars played off in the distance not too far away, and a man sped by with a tray of drinks, carrying them toward a group of people to the far end of the long pool.
“Hi and welcome!” He radiated with pride as he sped by.
I waved. “Hi!”Okay, this isn’t bad. I can do this.
Turning around, I skipped back inside, stripping my clothes off, rolling my suitcase over to the bed. I zipped it open and thumbed through my bikinis. My eyes settled on one I’d bought with Vincenzo in mind. I was tearing up at the fact I’d ruined the crush I had on him by falling in love.
